SUSTANCIAS QUÍMICAS CONOCIDAS EN EL CIGARRILLOS ELECTRÓNICOS QUE CAUSAN MECANISMOS FISIOPATOLÓGICOSEN EL SISTEMA RESPIRATORIO

This article explores the association of the main chemical substances present in e-cigarettes and the pathophysiological mechanisms they trigger in the respiratory system. The relevance of the choice of topic lies in the increasing use of these electronic devices today. This is a narrative bibliographic review article, using 17 references, with articles published in the last five years. The studies analyzed indicate that the chemical components of e-cigarettes vary widely, largely due to the lack of standardized regulation for their composition. Among the most cited substances in the literature are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine in e-liquids, in addition to several flavoring compounds: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), diethylene glycol, acetaldehyde, and nitrosamines. The greatest toxicity is related to the heating of these chemical substances. Regarding the pathophysiological effects, these depend on exposure time, dose, intensity, and frequency of use. The most commonly described effects include an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, which can lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia and EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated ling injury). It is concluded that further research on this topic is needed, as well as standardizing the chemical composition of e-cigarettes to achieve better safety results.